What the work looks like when it's done properly.
There are other places in Bangkok where you can leave a watch. This page is for explaining what makes a bench appointment at Mainspring different from those options.
Back to HomeSix things to know before booking.
Swiss-Trained Watchmaker
The workshop is run by a watchmaker who trained and worked in Geneva and Zurich before opening in Bangkok.
Written Documentation
Every service comes with written records — timing reports, parts lists, or both — handed over at collection.
Component-Specific Lubrication
The right oil is used for each pivot, jewel, and gear — not a single multipurpose lubricant applied across the entire movement.
Timing Machine Measurement
Rate, amplitude, and beat error are measured on a dedicated machine across multiple dial positions — not estimated by eye.
Follow-Up Included in Regulation
Regulation appointments include a seven-day check-back at no additional charge, so the watch's performance after settling can be confirmed.
Transparent Communication
We examine first and recommend second. Work starts only after you've agreed to what's been found and what it will cost.
What each benefit means in practice.
Professional formation at the bench
Khun Ariya Suwan completed his formal watchmaking training at a Swiss institution and subsequently spent ten years working across service centres in Geneva and Zurich. His experience covers Swiss lever escapements, co-axial calibres, simple automatic movements, and chronographs. He returned to Bangkok in 2016 to open Mainspring and has worked continuously at the bench since.
This formation matters because mechanical watchmaking is a precision craft. An incorrect regulator adjustment or an over-oiled pivot can produce results that look acceptable on the timing machine in the short term while damaging the movement over years of wear. Experience at a serious level is what makes the difference between acceptable repair and good repair.
Proper measurement, not estimation
The workshop is equipped with a timing machine that measures rate, amplitude, and beat error in multiple positions. This is standard practice in a professional watch service centre — the machine generates a readable trace for each position, showing whether the movement is running consistently or erratically depending on how the watch is oriented.
Ultrasonic cleaning is used for movement parts during a full overhaul. This removes dried lubricant and debris from jewels and pivots more thoroughly than manual cleaning alone. Correct lubricants — matched to the specific requirements of each component rather than applied universally — are drawn from a maintained stock held at appropriate temperature.
A conversation before the work begins
When a watch is brought to Mainspring, the first step is examination and discussion — not work. The watchmaker looks at the movement's condition, notes anything relevant, and discusses with the owner what is actually needed. Sometimes a watch that looks like it needs a full overhaul only requires regulation. Sometimes the reverse. The examination determines the appropriate course of action.
We communicate in English and Thai. If the owner is based outside Bangkok, we manage the discussion by phone or message. Nothing is started without a clear agreement on scope and cost, and if anything changes once the movement is opened, we stop and communicate before proceeding.
Pricing that reflects the work
Our prices are set by the type of service rather than the brand on the dial. A movement overhaul for a simple automatic costs ฿32,000 regardless of whether the watch is from a famous Swiss house or a lesser-known maker, because the bench time and parts are largely the same. The only supplements are for chronographs and complications, which require additional disassembly time and occasionally specialist parts.
This approach means owners of well-made but non-prestige watches receive the same quality of work as owners of collector pieces. It also means pricing is predictable. The figure agreed at intake is the figure at collection, unless something unforeseen is found inside the movement — in which case we discuss it before proceeding.
Documented outcomes, not verbal assurances
At the conclusion of every regulation appointment, the owner receives a written timing report showing the rate in multiple positions before and after adjustment. At the conclusion of an overhaul, this is supplemented by a written record of every part replaced.
For regulation, the seven-day follow-up check is part of the service — because a freshly lubricated movement sometimes settles over the first few days of wear, and small further adjustments may improve the outcome. This follow-up is at no further charge and is something we specifically ask clients to return for, rather than leaving it optional.
Mainspring vs. typical alternatives.
| What to look for | Typical repair shop | Brand service centre | Mainspring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal watchmaking training | |||
| Written timing report provided | |||
| Examination before work is agreed | |||
| Component-matched lubrication | |||
| Accepts non-brand movements | |||
| Follow-up timing check included | |||
| Pricing based on work, not brand |
Brand service centres listed above are authorised centres for specific manufacturers only; this comparison does not refer to any specific brand.
Details that matter to owners.
Seven-Day Follow-Up as Standard
The follow-up timing check after a regulation appointment is not an optional add-on — it's scheduled at booking. We want to see how the movement has settled under daily wear conditions before considering the service complete.
Parts Record at Overhaul
A written record of every part replaced during an overhaul is provided at collection. This matters for owners who track service history and for anyone who may have the watch serviced again in the future.
Examination Before Any Agreement
No service is agreed — and no cost is committed to — until the watch has been examined. This means owners never pay for a full overhaul when only regulation is needed, and vice versa.
Chronograph and Complication Acceptance
The workshop accepts chronograph movements and calendar complications for overhaul where parts are available. Many general repair shops decline these movements. Mainspring has the training and tooling to work on them properly.
Nine years at the bench.
9+
Years operating on Silom Road
850+
Movements serviced since opening
15+
Years of watchmaking experience
3
Specialist service types offered
Swiss Watchmaking Diploma
Principal watchmaker holds a diploma from a Swiss watchmaking institution, covering mechanical movements and complications.
European Service Centre Experience
Over a decade of experience in authorised service environments in Switzerland, working across multiple calibre families.
Trusted by Bangkok's Watch Community
Mainspring has built a consistent client base through word of mouth among watch owners in Bangkok and from regular visitors to Thailand.
Ready to book a bench visit?
Call us or send a brief message about the watch. We'll discuss what it needs and find a suitable appointment day.
Get in Touch